?אפאר חב"ד פאמיליעס... ביני לבינך מה הם

 

Just when you think you've seen it all, and that people realize that it's 2021 and you don't publish anything that is on your mind, even if these pleasant thoughts do cross your mind - You get slapped with a dose of reality.

This opinion piece was published today but was already leaked to whatsapp late last night. The writer is lamenting the fact that by the time you'll read this it'll be day 6 of the Surfside Tragedy, yet there's no sense of urgency. This after all the tragedies and deaths we've seen since Covid arrived on the scene, in addition to Miron and Karlin. At first, we thought that it was only a few Chabad families that perished, so yes, it's a "bitter story" but not something earth-shattering. No reason to not go about your daily routine. But by now, when it's become clear that some 36 Jews are among the missing... Now we can begin to react. 

The irony in all of this is the subliminal "לימוד זכות" happening between the lines. The writer finds no fault in the fact that it's taken frum people several days to react to the tragedy, yet at the same time sees no issue with writing that about Jews of Chabad persuasion.

Friends in frum media tell me that it's not the first "אקסישע" thing published here, but people obviously don't care enough or don't bother to read it. The proof is in the ad pudding, ads galore in this rag. I'll give them the BOTD and say that most people only read these and similar circulars for the ads and classifieds and could care less what the opinion pieces say. They have Kol Mevaser for hard-hitting news and opinion!

Kol Berama has yet to issue a clarification... Not that I asked for one.

The Hasidim by Vincent R. Tortora (1972)

ט"ז שבט - 150 שנה להסתלקות כ"ק הרה"ק הרב"ש, בן אדמו"ר הצ"צ נ"ע, וסבא רבא של כ"ק אדמו"ר זי"ע

עוד חומר לקריאה

היחיד שלא הנהיג חצר אחרי פטירת אביו

מאמר לך ה' החסד מר' הלל הלוי מפאריטש

   מאמר לך by Hirshel Tzig on Scribd

גם "קוקניקים" יכולים להיות מתנגדים כשרוצים

מאמר ד"ה יעשו עץ מכ"ק אדמו"ר רבי שלמה זלמן מקאפוסט זצוקללה"ה, יו"ל לראשונה מכת"י מעתיק, י"ב אדר תשע"ח‎

Shalom U'vracha, 

 Please find attached a remarkable Maamar on the Inyan of Purim and Amalek from Rebbe Shlomo Zalman of Kapust. This Maamar is being published for the first time from Manuscript!

 A tremendous amount of time and effort has gone into preparing the text for publication, your financial support would be greatly appreciated. 

All contributions can be made out to: 

Akiva Shavrick
6414 Park Heights Ave., Apt A3 
Baltimore, Md. 21215. 

May we see the coming of Moshiach speedily in our days. 

Wishing you Kol Tuv, Akiva.

Box.com link for non-Scribd users

   מאמר יעשו עץ מכ"ק הרש"ז מקאפוסט נ"ע by Hirshel Tzig on Scribd

Here's what constitutes "Purim Shtick" for the fine Bnei Towrah at the Ner Israel Rabbinical College High School

A word to my fellow Lubavitcher Chassidim and friends of Lubavitch: 

There are several pictures that "cross the line" so to speak. Yet, after deliberation and consultation with friends, I've decided to post all the pictures that have reached the desk of this blog. To show the world where misplaced differences can sometimes lead. As of now, several hours after these pictures surfaced, no word has been from the הנהלה of Ner Israel. Maybe they think it's OK because it's Chodesh Adar. Maybe they're naive as to what year we live in. I don't know. But I do know that nobody I showed it to, even the lighthearted ones, thought some of this was funny. 

If you'd like to voice your displeasure you can call the Yeshiva office and ask to speak to the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Aron Feldman, who is also a sitting member of the Moetzes Gedolei haTorah of the Agudath Israel of America.  Phone: (410) 484-7200 . I'm not sure who the HS Principl is these days.

דער וויזשניצער רבי שליט"א באזוכט היינט אין בית חב"ד אין פארט לאדערדעיל און באדאנקט דער שליח הרב משה מאיר הכהן שי' ליפשיץ פאר די שיינע אויפנאמע במשך פון וואכען דארט

ווי באוואוסט וויילט דער וויזשניצער רבי אין פלארדידע די וואכען נאך אריבערגיין א שווערע עאפעראציע אויף די רוקען. ער האט דארט אסאך פארברענגט אין די בתי חב"ד און אין די ישיבה גדולה פון חב"ד אין מיאמי. זיך באגעגנט מיט'ן דארטיגער ראש ישבה הגה"ח ר' לייבל שי' שפירא. יעצט איז געקומען די צייט אז דער וויזשניצער רבי פארט שוין אהיים, איז ער געקומען באדאנקען דער שליח הרב ליפשיץ פאר'ן צו שטעלן די שיינע אכסניא. פון א דארטיגער איד האט איז באקומען די פאלגענדע פאר שורות: לזכותו של הוויזשניצער רבי יאמר, אז א יעדען איינציגען מאל וואס ער האט דא אין פלארידע געפירט טיש האט ער אלעמאל גירעדט בשבחו פון דעם רבין'ס שלוחים וואס זיי טוען אויף בכל עיר ועיר ובכל פינה נידחת.

New on the Chabad bookshelf! - חדש! (לפי"ע) במדף הספרים החב"די

Box.com link for non-Scribd readers

   כתבה בעתון כפר חב"ד על הספר יסודות ושורשים by Hirshel Tzig on Scribd

 Press release:

The roots and principles of Shaar Hayichud Vehaemuna 

A scholarly treatise, attempting to reach the bedrock and very heart of The Alter Rebbe’s approach to the principles of faith in Hashem and the unity of Hashem * “Yesodot Veshorashim BeShaar Hayichud Vehaemunah” 
 Author: Rabbi Nachum Wilhelm 

The author strives to show the complete structure of the Alter Rebbe’s profound edifice and development of ideas .He quotes from and elucidates on the seminal works of Chazal, and the commentaries of the Rishonim; the Rambam and the Abarbanel. He brings the subsequent revelations of the Kabbalistic masters; the Ramak, the Arizal and their respective schools. The core of the manuscript is derived from Derech Mitzvosecha of the Tzemach Tzedek, and from the Rebbe’s Hadranim. Further source materials were gathered from the works of our Holy Rebbeim and the interpretations of the venerable Mashpiim; R. Aizik of Homil, R. Hillel Paritcher, R. E. Y.Rivlin, R. Chaim Moshe Lieberman, R. Gronem Esterman, R. Yechezkel Faigin and ylct”a Rav Yoel Kahan, in his famed Sefer Haerchim. Utmost care was taken to keep the form and writing style as close as possible to the original text. We are pleased to present a small selection of approbations from present day chassidic scholars and esteemed Rabbi’s, expressing their warm reception and strong recommendation.

“Following decades of his scholarly articles of deep chassidic thought published in our journal "Heoros Ubiurim", this book promises to illuminates the words of our Holy Rebbeim.”
 Rabbi Avrohom Gerlitzky, Rosh Yeshiva Oholei Torah 

 “Rabbi Wilhelm’s erudition was already apparent when he was a student in our Kolel. After perusing the manuscript I could not restrain my excitement by his exceptional ability to take lofty mystical concepts and make them approachable to the everyday person. It is my belief that this gift was bestowed on him from the Almighty in reward for his incredible diligence in the study of Torah.” Rabbi Chaim Shalom Deitsch, Rosh Kolel Tzemach Tzedek and noted Mashpia 

“How great is his merit to have utilised his talents in revealing the great wonders hidden in the footnotes and glosses to the works of our holy Rebbe in his work on the Tanya!”
 Rabbi Chananya Y. Aizenbach Noted Rosh Yeshiva

 “It is widely known that the ideas brought forth in Shaar Hayichud Vehamuna, and further developed in numerous maamorim, are the backbone of Chassidic thought and service of Hashem. Certainly this volume will invigorate the study of serious and devoted Torah scholars.”
Rabbi Laibel Altein Chassidus Mevueres, editor Heichal Menachem, director 

 “It was much appreciated that the book begins with a discussion about eliciting love and fear of the Almighty, for these principles are the foundation and soul of Chassidus Chabad. As the well known saying of C”K Admur n”e,” the chassidic interpretation to the proverb, “great is study as it brings to deed” , relates to the deed of serving Hashem in earnest prayer.”
Rabbi Yosef Y. Ofen, Mashpia Toras Emes 

 The printing of this sefer has been made possible by donations in honor and memory of Reb Gedalia Shaffer ob”m of Crown Heights. A great scholar devoted to chassidic teachings. Since publication in Israel, the volume has shown to be a bestseller, held in high esteem among mashpiiim, temimim, scholars and academics.

Rabbi Berel Levy and Torah uMesorah

An excerpt from the new book available for purchase HERE. Courtesy of the author.

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מאמר ד"ה וירא והנה איל - מאחד מבניו הקדושים של כ"ק אדמו"ר הצמח צדק זצוקללה"ה נבג"מ זי"ע

Shalom Uvracha, 

 please find attached a remarkable Maamar Chassidus on Parshas Vayera. This amazing Maamar is being published for the first time from Manuscript! A tremendous amount of time and effort has gone into preparing the text for publication, your financial support would be greatly appreciated. 

All contributions can be made out to: Akiva Shavrick, 6414 Park Heights Ave, Apt A3, Baltimore Md. 21215. May we see the coming of Moshiach speedily in our days. 

Wishing you Kol Tuv, 

Akiva.


 BOX.com link for non-Scribd users

   מאמר חדש מכתב יד! מאחד מבניו הקדושים של כ"ק אדמו"ר הצמח צדק, פרשת וירא תשע"ח

3 minutes with Reb Yehoshua Schneur Zalman Serebryanski ע"ה

Reb Zalman was born in 1903 in Brahin, near Chernobyl, in White Russia. His father was Menachem Mendel and his mother was Nechama. His mother was the sister of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Gluskin, a Chabad Rov in Paritch, Minsk and Leningrad. His father Reb Menachem Mendel was a chasidisher yid with a very warm heart. His kindness was known throughout the community, including Samarkand, where he lived until his passing in 1942. In 1924 at the age of 20, his father suggested he go learn in the Lubavitcher yeshiva in Rostov. The Frierdiker Rebbe accepted Reb Zalman into the Yeshiva. In 1925 he attended the Frierdiker Rebbe’s Purim Farbrengen in Leningrad. It was there that he first saw the Rebbe. He was close to Rabbi Chatshe Feigin the yeshiva Mashpia. Eventually Reb Chatshe appointed him to work for him as his secretary and to administer several underground yeshivos. In 1928 he married Brocha Futerfas, sister of Reb Hendel Lieberman and Reb Mendel Futerfas. During the 1930s the couple and their three children lived in Charkov. In 1938 he was conscripted into the Russian army. In 1941 he moved his family to Samarkand. In 1949, Reb Zalman and his family were sent by the Previous Rebbe to Melbourne, Australia. Reb Zalman founded various Chabad institutions in Melbourne including a boys elementary and high school and Beis Rivka for girls. In 1967, he founded the Yeshiva Gedola, which is a thriving Lubavitcher yeshiva for students from across the globe. On Yud Shevat 1970, the Rebbe honored him with the recital of a פסוק in conjunction with the completion of Moshiach’s Sefer Torah. The Rebbe wrote that he gives him this honor because he is the Mashpia of Chasidus for Australia. A few weeks before Gimmel Tammuz, 1991, Reb Zalman said that his Shlichus had ended, and indeed on Gimmel Tammuz 1991 his נשמה returned to its maker.



  To buy the complete video click HERE or email: info@rabbidalfin.com

Did Reb Moshe Shapiro ever sit down with רבי יואל כהן or any other ליובאוויטשער חסיד?

Photo Source

So we discussed RMS yesterday, backdating the post to soon after his passing. I got all kinds of messages, both here and in private, how I was asking a silly question re: why did he never mention Chabad. He learned and loved sifrei Chabad but never would he mention them by name in public. The more respectful ones will tell me that it wasn't what he was preaching, so if he did mention Chabad he would use pareve terms like צדיקי אמת or מקובלים. He was a Litvisher, so why mention Chabad. OK. Whatever. Others, those who have big mouths, speak how "today's Chabad" was a "perversion" of the REAL Chabad. As if. As if he knew. As if he ever bothered to speak to anybody in Chabad. I mean it's nice that he discovered a whole new world in Tanya and Likkutei Torah, but just like every other limmud you need to have a Rebbi. Don't think you know just because you have a good head, and then go and dismiss thousands of others who follow a mesorah for 200+ years. Did you ever make an appointment with an "expert" in Sifrei Chabad who has a mesorah and discuss with him, try to learn from/with him? And if you think you can do it on your won what does that say about you?

Then I wanna know why someone like our friend "Litvak from Budapest" (what's that?) who says that the Leshem held that Chabad was megashem lofty concepts and that's why he didn't mention Chabad, so why learn those seforim at all? The Leshem was totally opposed to Toras HaChassidus from the BeSHT on, שרק those that claim to follow his teachings are allowed to learn Sifrei Chabad? שפת אמת? ר' צדוק? שם משמואל? And in Chabad גופא - it's only the later doros that were meGashem? So תניא-ליקוטי תורה is still allowed? like where did it start? the Tzemach Tzedek perhaps? Was he meGashem? Litvak, you consider your self a rational person, is that what you believe? And what does to be MeGashem mean anyway? Where do these people get these ideas, and why do sane, rational people follow them?! Just because he's a little out of the box and speaks of new concepts? II guess so. It seems to me that they've remained very much within the box of anti-Chassidus, despite all the learning.

The answer is very poshut. At least for me. [I was thinking of bringing R' Eli Weintraub into this discussion, because he was a similar person. He learned Chabad and would even mention the source, but he too somehow "understood better."] To learn Chassidus and be a gantze mentsh far zich just doesn't exist. Chassidus is bittul. If you learn and internalize you become bottul. You can teach but it's not about you. The examples are numerous. Too numerous to mention. The examples even go as far as people who do make it about them have a very hard time teaching Chassidus, because it just won't "allow it." So people who become "Gedolim" based on teaching מחשבה and becoming ענקי המחשבה - that doesn't jive with Chassidus Chabad. So much so that they can't even mention sifrei Chabad - almost as if the seforim itself won't ALLOW themselves to be mentioned... Then there's a side issue I have with many of these same personalities, how they all somehow manage to hook up with the adversaries of Chabad Shluchim and become those who put them on the map. Especially in places like the Former Soviet Union, וד"ל. But that's for another time. יש עוד הרבה מה להגיד.

יהי זכרו ברוך

"Torah Links" wants you to know that they're "ABSOLUTELY" not a Litvishe version of Chabad...

פון "מאמענט" מאגאזין

At first I thought that the interviewer was asking a loaded question, setting up the answer. But after seeing the full answer I'm not quite so sure anymore... It seems like these people would find some way to knock Chabad and their mivtzoyim. Just because. Then they kind of overstep their boundaries. Like, they're going too far is to distance themselves from Chabad. Only Torah קען באלייכטען א אידישע הארץ? Mitzvos can't do anything? What about a big shtreimel with the shpitzen blown into place using half a can of hairspray, can that באלייכט א אידישע הארץ? מי שמך לאיש Mr. Torah Links?Who told you that the point of being mekarev yidden is to גענצליך overturn a Yiddishe hartz? Who died and made you the boss of Torah and Kiruv?

We expect better journalism from מאמענט - you guys come out looking juvenille.

AND as far as Torh Links is concerned, I'd refer them to their mission statement. See below.

מאמר ד"ה מים רבים מאחד מבניו הקדושים של כ"ק אדמו"ר הצמח צדק זצוקללה"ה נבג"מ זי"ע

  מאמר מים רבים נח by Hirshel Tzig on Scribd

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!!ראו זה דבר חדש

NEW! לשמע אוזן available again!

 Available after being out of print for over 20 years. Over 500 authentic Chassidishe stories as recorded by Reb Zalman Duchman a”h. Translated into a clear Hebrew from Yiddish. Footnotes and references and background information. Over a hundred pages of new material with colored photocopies of the Rebbe’s letters and a new updated biography.
 6”X9” 388 Pages 

For orders, click here   (S&H in the US included!)

  Sample Pages Low (1) by Hirshel Tzig on Scribd

מאמר ד"ה מים רבים מאחד מבניו הק' של כ"ק אדמו"ר הצמח צדק זצוקללה"ה נבג"מ זי"ע

  מאמר מים רבים

מדוע תתקשו למצוא בכפר חב"ד בחורים חב"דניקים בעיצומו של חג פורים? Guest Post

 • מה חושב היועץ החינוכי על ההתפרקות של בחורי הישיבות בחג הפורים? • ולמה לא הפעיל מרדכי את הלוביסטית שלו בארמון המלך והעדיף ללבוש שק ואפר?

אתמול שמעתי באחת מהתחנות החרדיות, תכנית בה דנו אנשי חינוך ורבנים בחרפה החוזרת על עצמה בכל שנה מחדש. המשתתפים העלו את עניינם של בחורי ישיבות שמשתכרים, מסתאבים ומתבוללים בקיא של עצמם מידי פורים, ואף משפילים את עצמם מדירה לדירה בשביל שווה פרוטה. גם ראיתי זאת במו­עיני. אצלנו בכפר, כפר חב"ד, גם מבקרים בחורי ישיבות, שיש מהם כאלה – בהחלט לא כולם – שבמשך השנה עסוקים בהכפשת חב"ד, ובפורים מגיעים גם לדלתות בתינו. כנראה שמישהו הכניס להם לראש שבחב"ד יש כסף ולא טרח לספר להם שכל שליח מממן את עצמו, מתרומות בדרך כלל. לא אפליג בסיפורי זוועות. אחזור על דבריו של היועץ החינוכי באותה תכנית. היועץ הסביר למגיש ש"פעם אחת בשנה מותר להתיר קצת את הרסן ולתת להם להשתולל". הוא גם מיהר לסייג את דבריו והבהיר כי לעיתים עלול להיגרם לאותם בחורים נזק בלתי הפיך. "אחרי שהם מגלים את השפעותיה של הטיפה המרה ואת הנאת הסיגריה שלפניה, הם עלולים להתמכר. וזה כבר נזק ארוך טווח". מיותר לציין שבבואם אלינו, הם לא יפגשו את הבחורים החב"דניקים. למה? מסיבה פשוטה. שכן, בחורי חב"ד לא מסתובבים מדלת לדלת בריכוזים החרדיים כשהם שתויים, אלא יוצאים לקרוא את המגילה שוב ושוב לעשרות ומאות יהודים – ולעיתים גם עבור יהודי אחד. נכון. ייתכן שיש מי שמפיץ כי יש בעיה רוחנית בגלל שהם עומדים לעיתים במרכזים הומי אדם ומניחים תפילין לאנשים, ואגב כך נחשפים לנעשה הרחוב. אבל... הם לא למדו את הכלל ההלכתי בהגעלת כלים, לפיו "איידי דטריד למיפלט, לא בלע!". מי שטרוד בלהוציא החוצה – לא בולע. מי שעסוק בקירוב יהודים אחרים, ומוציא את התורה החוצה – לא בולע את הזיהום שבחוץ. להיפך, הוא מטהר את האוויר שסביבו. בדיוק כפי שהסיר בו בלוע איסור, לא מטריף את מי ההגעלה. כשאתה בא להשפיע יהדות על יהודי אחר, אתה לא מושפע ממנו. כשכל כולך מונח בניצול כל שעה משעות החג לקיום מצוות הפורים, ולא רק את המצוות שלך, אלא גם של אחרים, אתה באמת שמח בשמחת החג ואינך נדרש לטיפה מרה או סיגריה מתוקה על מנת לחוש זאת, אם בכלל.

מאת שמואל קנופפלר

דרוש וביאור נפלא על ברכה ראשונה של שמו"ע מהגה"ח ר' נחום טוביה מפיראטין (הרנ"ט), א' מגדולי החסידים של כ"ק אדמו"ר הצ"צ זצוקללה"ה נבג"מ זי"ע, יו"ל לראשונה מכת"י מעתיק ג' אדר ב', תשע"ו‎

has anybody ever heard of this Granat before?

  דרוש וביאור מהרנט

Many years ago - before עוז והדר - there was Mendelson and Zeldowitz

The problem was they didn't have Heshy Friedman to bankroll it all. I guess. They also didn't have the vision and the wherewithal of Shia Leifer. Oh well. They also, I think, had a hard time getting along. The two partners, that is. That's what I seem to remember. So the dream of a newly-set Shas, just like in Wilno, fell by the wayside. And the rest is history. I just realized I posted these pictures a bit lopsided. I guess that what happens after a month's respite.